Also known as painful intercourse syndrome, vulvodynia is an often-oversimplified diagnosis for a very complicated and debilitating syndrome. Pudendal neuralgia is inflammation of the pudendal nerve. This condition causes burning or stabbing pain in the genitals, urethra or anus. The pain often gets worse over the course of a day and is exacerbated by sitting. Both conditions make sex incredibly painful.
Sex should not cause you persistent pain. It can get better. You’re not alone.

August 27, 2008

Busting My Ass In School and Causing a Nerve Flare

I am literally busting my ass in school. I work full-time and this semester I'm taking two classes. I normally only take one. Given the circumstances, I have to sit in a classroom for 4 hours a night, 3 days a week. Only 2 days in and I'm starting to feel the pain. Vulvodynia and academia don't mix.

I've got a manageable setup in my office: I've got me kneeling chair and my standing desk. I can get through the day without too much discomfort. My pain increases over the course of the day, but by 5:30, I'm usually home and reclining to take the pressure off my nerve.

I no longer have that luxury. I leave work, get in my car, drive to class and then plant myself in a rigid desk. I can't usually contort myself to tolerate an uncomfortable seat for a small duration of time. But last night, there was no comfortable position.

By the time I came home, I was in bad shape. I'm going to have to start bringing a cushion to class. Hopefully that will be enough. I don't want to draw negative attention to myself, but I don't have a choice. I'm not going to sit back and cause myself unnecessary pain.

Last night I found myself feeling frustrated and discouraged. I realized how much my pudendal neuralgia and vulvodynia have progressed over the last 2 years. They're getting worse and I don't know if I have the ability to stop them.

I still believe I made the right decision to put off the pudendal nerve decompression surgery, but I know it's on the horizon. Maybe I should try another nerve block.

2 comments:

I totally empathize. I have the same problem from sitting at work all day. I used to sit on one of those inflatable neck pillows that people use on planes, and it really helped. So much so that I eventually stopped needing it. My pain is flaring up again though, so I will probably have to go back to the pillow. I was embarrassed about using it at work at first, but I told people that it was for low back pain. Good luck with your class situation. It's so frustrating when pain gets in the way of living your life.

I have been just diagnosed with vulvodynia and i dont want to believe it. Seen 3 doctors and a visit to er. No one wants to give me anything stronger than tylenol with codein but i can hardly take the burning and pain anymore. Tylenol with codein work after 2-3 pills and make pain somewhat manageable. I have 4 kids and hubby to take care of..ugg!